2 Chronicles 32:1-23 (October 24, 2025)

Sennacherib Invades Judah

32 After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them for himself. 2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and intended to fight against Jerusalem, 3 he planned with his officers and his mighty men to stop the water of the springs that were outside the city; and they helped him. 4 A great many people were gathered, and they stopped all the springs and the brook that flowed through the land, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?” 5 He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. 6 And he set combat commanders over the people and gathered them together to him in the square at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, 7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Sennacherib Blasphemes

9 After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria, who was besieging Lachish with all his forces, sent his servants to Jerusalem to Hezekiah king of Judah and to all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem, saying, 10 “Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, ‘On what are you trusting, that you endure the siege in Jerusalem? 11 Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die by famine and by thirst, when he tells you, “The Lord our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria”? 12 Has not this same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, “Before one altar you shall worship, and on it you shall burn your sacrifices”? 13 Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of other lands? Were the gods of the nations of those lands at all able to deliver their lands out of my hand? 14 Who among all the gods of those nations that my fathers devoted to destruction was able to deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand? 15 Now, therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you in this fashion, and do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand!’”

16 And his servants said still more against the Lord God and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 And he wrote letters to cast contempt on the Lord, the God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, “Like the gods of the nations of the lands who have not delivered their people from my hands, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver his people from my hand.” 18 And they shouted it with a loud voice in the language of Judah to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them, in order that they might take the city. 19 And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they spoke of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands.

The Lord Delivers Jerusalem

20 Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. 21 And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came into the house of his god, some of his own sons struck him down there with the sword. 22 So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all his enemies, and he provided for them on every side. 23 And many brought gifts to the Lord to Jerusalem and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from that time onward.

Faith Under Siege: The God Who Fights for His People

SUMMARY

After Hezekiah’s great reforms and the nationwide revival, “Sennacherib (705-681 BC), king of Assyria, came and invaded Judah” (v. 1). The timing is striking. Faithfulness is often met with opposition. Hezekiah responded with wisdom and courage — repairing the walls, organizing the troops, and cutting off the water supply to hinder the enemy’s advance (vv. 2–6). But his most outstanding preparation was spiritual.

Sennacherib, confident in his military strength, mocked both Judah and their God. His messengers ridiculed Hezekiah’s trust, comparing the Lord to the powerless gods of other nations:

Their propaganda was meant to break morale and undermine faith.

Yet Hezekiah and Isaiah “prayed and cried to heaven” (v. 20). God answered mightily.

Sennacherib returned home in shame, only to be killed by his own sons in the temple of his idol. “So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem… and guided them on every side” (v. 22).

This passage reveals a pattern repeated throughout Scripture. When God’s people depend on Him, their weakness becomes the stage for His strength.

WHO IS GOD?

God is the sovereign defender of His people. He is not indifferent to their suffering but intervenes with power and precision. The same God who “sent an angel” against Assyria still reigns over every earthly power. His authority extends over kings and armies, and His timing is perfect. The Lord delights to vindicate those who trust Him, showing that “the battle belongs to the Lord.” His character is both mighty and merciful—mighty to overthrow pride, merciful to preserve His people.

WHAT IS OUR GUILT?

We are often guilty of reacting to threats in fear or self-reliance. Like the people of Judah before Hezekiah’s encouragement, we easily fix our eyes on visible strength—the “arm of flesh.” When faced with trials, we calculate outcomes, gather resources, and lose sight of prayer. On the other side, we sometimes resemble Sennacherib—boasting in our achievements and scorning dependence on God. Pride and fear, though opposite in form, share the same root: unbelief. Both assume that God is either absent or unable to act.

HOW DOES GRACE SHINE?

Grace shines in God’s response to the prayers of His servants. Hezekiah and Isaiah cried out to heaven, and God acted decisively. This scene prefigures the intercession of Christ, who stands between His people and their accuser, securing victory through His own obedience and sacrifice. The angel who struck the Assyrian army points forward to the greater Deliverer who conquered sin and death. Grace does what strength cannot—turning despair into peace and threat into testimony. God’s saving power becomes a global witness: “Many brought gifts to the Lord to Jerusalem and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah” (v. 23).

Let us pray before we plan, trust before we fear, and remember that even the mightiest empires are dust before His breath.

PRAYER

Almighty God, our refuge and strength,

You alone are our fortress in times of trouble. Forgive us for trusting in the “arm of flesh” and fearing what we can see. Teach us to rest in your power and to pray with perseverance when the world mocks our faith. As you delivered Judah, deliver us from pride and unbelief. Let your name be exalted among the nations, and may your church stand firm in the confidence that the battle is yours.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.